The third pond on our 2012 Montgomery County Water Garden Society Pond Tour was the garden pond of Herman and Donna. For me these tours are more about the gardens than the ponds. I believe ponds, and water in general, enhance a garden experience. I simply cannot tour for ponds only so please excuse me when I refer to the gardens.
Herman and Donna are fellow master gardeners and actually spent some time in my garden in June during the Master Gardener Garden Tour. My husband and I really got to know them and enjoyed talking to them and Herman's sister, Sue. It was no surprise then that when the tour stopped at their garden I was pretty excited. Their garden made me feel right at home-let me tell you!
One of the first things I saw was this mosaic. My husband said I should ask Donna if she got inspired from my three mosaics like this in my garden. I immediately went to her and asked her and she said she was indeed inspired by my mosaic when she spent time in my garden in June and gave me a big hug. She immediately went home after the June visit and created her own glass gem-shower door mosaic and the result is above. Isn't it beautiful? Now I no longer have the claim to fame that my garden is the only one in this area with a mosaic. Harumph! Nah, just kidding. I am flattered that Donna loved the mosaic so much she created it. I can tell you they take some work and each and everyone will be a bit different and unique. Mounting them in the garden adds so much to a garden. I am so thrilled to see this beautiful one in Donna and Herman's garden. It was a big hit with our tour too.
Here is the backside of it. Both sides are gorgeous. One side is in 3D while the other one simply sparkles with color.
There was another reason I felt at home in this garden. There were so many wonderful garden art pieces and splendid seating areas that I surely felt at home. Here we have some of those famous tipsy pots made by Lola, and a tower that sparkles with gems.
This had to be my favorite piece aside from the mosaic of course. I plan to make one of these soon. Mr. Fix-it has already been forewarned.
The garden area was interesting. I did not actually explore the growing spaces but noticed this wonderful trellis made from cattle panels. I wish I had the room to do this in my garden. These trellises are perfect for growing vining crops.
The host of the tour, Terrie, loved loved loved this sparkly tree. She asked me to take a picture of it. It is an easy do it yourself project for anyone and not very expensive either. The 'gems' are plastic doodads you can buy at any hobby store. I bet you can get the tree there too.
This totem was created by Donna. She is quite the artist and had paintings displayed in her home that I loved. I unfortunately did not get pictures of them as Mr. Fix-it and I were in the food line and so I left my camera at our table. Speaking of which, part of the tour included a lunch provided to the VIPs (PreTour guests). The spread Herman, Donna, their daughter, and friends laid out for us all was pretty amazing. Everything from fried chicken to barbeque to chess pie! And a very comfortable spot to eat it too! A few of us sat under a gazebo right next to the huge pond and enjoyed a shady spot to eat al fresco. I tell you I was not ready to leave.
This little bicycle was all set for a champagne toast.
How about this nearby bottle tree?
I like rusty things so this large flower caught my eye. No fertilizing, weeding, or watering required!
Now this weeping Atlas Cedar would need some help from the gardener. It was a specimen plant I wished I had in my garden.
Naomi was our traveling companion on this date. She thoroughly enjoyed herself as you can see. Pond tours are great to get good ideas not only about ponds but about gardens. Naomi is a learner and she savored everything we saw this day.
This whimsical koi caught my eye. He looks like he was washed up high and dry doesn't he?
Ah, here is the pond. This post is long and I was not sure if I even included the pond. I am really glad I did!! Herman used to have three ponds that he very recently combined into one large pond. This is one of the ponds that was less than three feet deep. He was limited on how deep he could go by fill lines under the pond. Pipes and lines are a big consideration when digging a pond. I made sure my waterline was no where near where I dug my pond as well. It takes some work to figure this all out but you must know where your lines are prior to digging to avoid costly mistakes down the road.
This neat piece of art was a hanging planter that really stood out to me.
As did the potted wreath welcoming all to Donna and Herman's garden....
in the garden....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden
It has been just about one year since my little garden was on the local master gardener garden tour. It was an exciting time for me. I've always enjoyed sharing my garden and to have folks come here and visit was a fun event for me. You may remember a neighbor of mine stopped by with a special present for me. She had never met me before, but was a gardener and only came here to say hello to me-another gardener and neighbor too. (There is a nice picture of the two of us on the earlier post.) She brought me a branch of her St. John's Wort (pictured above). I tried really hard to make that one branch grow roots so I could have it in my garden, but alas, it was not meant to be.
Well, guess what? This same neighbor was thinking of me this year when her St. John's wort bloomed. She called me to find out if I'd like one for my garden. She had extras as she was potting plants for her garden club's plant sale (27 June-Veteran's Plaza), and it would be no problem if I'd like to come on over and get one. I said sure! See a garden, uh uh, I'm there. Turns out Naomi does not live far from me so it was a quick trip.
I was astounded by the beauty and maturity of her garden. First of all, as I was getting out of my car I was greeted by three blue peacocks and one green one. They were the most iridescent ones I'd ever seen. Naomi said they were wild and she hoped they would move along to greener pastures soon. They sure were pretty.
While I knew what the peacocks were, I have no idea what this plant (pictured below) is supposed to be. Anyone recognize it? Naomi did not know what it is as she starts so many plants from seeds it is hard for her to remember them all. I am sure I should know this plant, but cannot think of it, so if you can help me out I'd sure appreciate it.
Naomi's garden is bordered by a small stream and is surrounded by fields and woods and wildlife. It was a veritable dream for someone who totally loves seclusion and country living. It was also the site of an old iron furnace. Did you know Tennessee's history is rich with iron smelting days of years past? There are remnants of furnaces all around this area. From the history I've learned, these furnaces were used to smelt the mined iron ore. The iron would then be shipped via boat down the Tennessee River. Here is a good picture of the old furnaces. What does this have to do with Naomi's garden? 
This waterfall and pond were made on the remnants of a iron furnace on Naomi's land. If you look closely along the waterfall, you can see the rock is cut in regular forms, it is part of an old furnace. Naomi made this waterfall by using concrete to form the wonderful waterfall down the furnace. The huge pond at the base of the furnace/waterfall is also made of concrete; which Naomi fashioned all on her own. The pond is filled with large koi.
This picture shows the top part of the waterfall. I hope the picture can truly show the uniqueness of the waterfall, but here I wanted you all to see the Verbascum thapsis, aka Mullein, that is surrounding the waterfall. How cool is that? Of course mullein grows wild. Naomi chose to leave it there. I think it is spectacular and adds to the stateliness of this very tall waterfall.
There were so many areas of Naomi's gardens that fascinated me. Her vegetable garden was most innovative. She has many contraptions that help to keep the wildlife at bay. I may post on one soon. She also grows a clematis at the base of her trees. I was excited to see that! But one of my most exciting finds was all of her Japanese maples. Most were of the weeping variety. Naomi likes weeping trees and I can't say as I blame her, they are splendid. Here is but one of about 1/2 a dozen mature Japanese maples. I am not sure of the cultivar but it is probably 'Crimson Queen' or maybe 'Garnet' or even 'Tamukeyama'. I could not believe the size of the trunk! it was a full 6 inches in diameter at least. The largest I had ever seen. She tells me this tree has been here only 12 years (she has lived in her home for 34 years). All of Naomi's Japanese maples were severely damaged in THE late freeze of 2007. In fact, Naomi thought she'd lost them all, but they have slowly come back to life. She simply cut out the damaged areas and left well enough alone. She was most lucky. Trees like this are nigh on impossible to replace.
I really liked this blue cornflower/yarrow combination. The amount of color in her yard was amazing, but what really floored me besides the Japanese maples, were the immense numbers of zebra swallowtails fluttering around. I have seen only one at my house in all the years I've lived here. While Naomi and I talked, there must've been three happily sipping nectar from some nearby flowers.
I was so honored Naomi thought of me-one of her neighbors. And I am happy to say my St. John's Wort is snuggled down in my garden, along with a nice white wild geranium Naomi also dug for me. I love them both and will think of my neighbor often.
in the garden....
